James Murdoch says Fox News did a good job in transitioning from Roger Ailes

On Monday, 21st Century Fox CEO James Murdoch gave his father an "A+" in handling Fox News after the departure of Roger Ailes, saying Rupert Murdoch "rolled up his sleeves and kept the show on the road."

Speaking at the UBS 44th Annual Global Media and Communications Conference, Murdoch didn't specifically talk about the sexual harassment allegations that led to Ailes' departure last July, but he did allude to what happened by speaking how a transition had to occur quickly at the cable news network.

"I think we did a good job in acting decisively," Murdoch told investors, adding that news coverage was strong at Fox News throughout the election and that viewers have been re-introduced to new hosts like Bret Hume and Tucker Carlson. Murdoch also touted ratings, saying that since Donald Trump's victory in early November, "frankly they are less down than we expected."

Expressing a very positive if careful view about 21st Century Fox's direction, Murdoch played down the idea that his company would pursue bold acquisitions as AT&T seeks to buy Time Warner and as Viacom and CBS hold their own merger talks.

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: In this handout photo provided by FOX News, FOX News Channel Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes is photographed November 13, 2015 at the networks Manhattan headquarters New York City. (Photo by Wesley Mann/FOX News via Getty Images)

385602 07: Fox News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes, right, testifies during a hearing on election night 2000 coverage by the networks before the House committee on energy and commerce February 14, 2001 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D. C. Heads of major news organizations have converged on Capitol Hill to testify before Congress, explaining the mistaken calls made on Election Night and promising changes to prevent further errors. (Photo by Alex Wong/Newsmakers)

WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 25: Chairman and CEO of the Fox News Network Roger Ailes participates in the 'America's Best Leaders: How do they lead? Where are they taking us?' National Issues Briefing hosted by U.S. News and World Report October 25, 2005 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The talk was held in collaboration with the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images for U.S. News and World Report)

NEW YORK - JUNE 26: (L-R) Variety Editor Peter Bart and Producer Roger Ailes attend a cocktail party hosted by Harvey and Bob Weinstein and Miramax Books to celebrate Peter Bart's new book ''BOFFO'' on June 26, 2006 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 08: Roger Ailes, president of FOX News, poses with his wife Elizabeth on the red carpet upon arrival at a salute to FOX News Channel's Brit Hume on January 8, 2009 in Washington, DC. Hume was honored for his 35 years in journalism. (Photo by Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 11: Fox News President Roger Ailes attends the Hollywood Reporter celebrates 'The 35 Most Powerful People in Media' at the Four Season Grill Room on April 11, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic)

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: In this handout photo provided by FOX News, FOX News Channel Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes is photographed November 13, 2015 at the networks Manhattan headquarters New York City. (Photo by Wesley Mann/FOX News via Getty Images)

Roger Ailes, chairman and CEO of Fox News and Fox Television Stations, answers questions during a panel discussion at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Pasadena, California July 24, 2006. Picture taken July 24, 2006. REUTERS/Fred Prouser/File Photo

Fox News chief and CEO Roger Ailes speaks during a panel session titled "Democracy and the Media: Are They Compatible?" at the 2005 Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills April 19, 2005. The Milken Institute is an independent economic think tank, which works to improve the lives and economic conditions of diverse populations in the United States and around the world. REUTERS/Fred Prouser FSP/JK

News Corporation chief Rupert Murdoch (R) speaks at a press conference in New York January 30 where it was announced that cable-TV figure Roger Ailes (L) would head the new Fox 24-hour news network. Murdoch said he would spend $80 million a year on the project which will compete with CNN and similar networks planned by ABC and NBC

Prominent cable-TV figure Roger Ailes appears at a press conference in New York January 30 where he was named to head the new Fox 24-hour news network. News Corporation chief Rupert-Murdoch, who made the announcement, said he would spend $80 million a year on the project

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 19: Fox News chairman Roger Ailes walks with his wife Elizabeth Tilson as they leave the News Corp building, July 19, 2016 in New York City. As of late Tuesday afternoon, Ailes and 21st Century Fox are reportedly in discussions concerning his departure from his position as chairman of Fox News. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 08: Janice Min and Roger Ailes attend 'The 35 Most Powerful People In Media' celebrated by The Hollywoood Reporter at Four Seasons Restaurant on April 8, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 07: Elizabeth Tilson Ailes and Television Producer Roger Ailes attend the Carnegie Hall 125th Season Opening Night Gala at Carnegie Hall on October 7, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 09: President of FOX News Roger Ailes attends the 'Kingsman: The Secret Service' New York premiere at SVA Theater on February 9, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/FilmMagic)

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 30: Roger Ailes attends Erica Rivera's 40th Birthday hosted by Geraldo Rivera at Monkey Bar on January 30, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Geraldo Rivera)

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: In this handout image provided by FOX News Channel, FOX News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes (C) as well as featured keynote speakers, Roy Eaton (L), advertising pioneer and L. Douglas Wilder, former Governor of Virginia attend the Ailes Apprentice Program graduation at FOX News Channel headquarters on November 14, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by FOX News Channel via Getty Images)

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: In this handout image provided by FOX News Channel, FOX News Chairman and CEO Roger Ailes (C) as well as featured keynote speakers, Roy Eaton (not pictured), advertising pioneer and L. Douglas Wilder (not pictured), former Governor of Virginia attend the Ailes Apprentice Program graduation at FOX News Channel headquarters on November 14, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by FOX News Channel via Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 14: Kreskin and Chairman Fox News and Fox Television Stations Roger Ailes attend the 'Conversations With Kreskin' Book Launch Celebration at Patsy's on November 14, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/WireImage)

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"Let's not get too concerned with empire building, get scale for scale's sake" he said. "That's not what we are interested in. We've passed on a lot of opportunities. We want to be very disciplined... We don't feel the urge to go acquire some other large piece."

Murdoch spent most of his 45 minutes on stage hyping the opportunities in digital, saying that he's not concerned with slipping television ratings if it means that the company is attracting viewership on streaming platforms where there's a greater ability to better track audiences and deliver higher quality advertising. He predicted a coming wave of digital growth, although unlike CBS or HBO, Murdoch doesn't seem particularly ready to launch an over-the-top platform for Fox that would take its content directly to consumers. He noted the challenges in managing churn, accepting credit payments, and having a fundamentally different relationship with consumers. He also spoke of concern for too much fragmentation in the market.

Talking about how Fox has made deals with DirecTV Now and Sling as well has touting what's coming to Hulu, Murdoch added, "I still think the streaming business is something we are leaning into hard because we think it is a better business."